Printing press



June 8, E. E... BURROUGHS 3 PRINTING PRESS Filed April .15, 1956 I lllm 6' X HHIIIIHIHI II ll.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 28, 1938 PATENT OFFICE PRINTING PRESS Edwin E. Burroughs, Hamilton Beach, Long Is- Q land, N. Y., assignor to Potdevin Machine Company, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 15, 1936, Serial No. 74,460

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing presses and is particularly directed to the provision of a construction wherein the inking mechanism is movable as a unit toward and away from the printing mechanism.

Itis an object of the present invention to provide aprinting press of the character indicated wherein the inking mechanism as a unit can be entirely separated from the printing mechanism so as to provide access to the printing-plates and wherein the two mechanisms can be separated to a lesser degree to disengage the inking rollers from the printing rollers without interrupting the drive for the inking mechanism so that the vibrating rollers may continue to ink the inking rollers.

From the following description and the accom- A panying drawing other objects of my invention will be manifest and the invention more clearly an understood.

' In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of my improved device;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View of the 25 latching mechanism for the inking and printing carrying the inking mechanism and a frame 3 35 supporting the printing mechanism.

The inking mechanism frame 2 is mounted on a roller chain 4 whereby the same may be moved along the base I of the machine relative to the printing mechanism, the links of the chain 4- 40 resting in grooves 5 in track 6, while the rollers of the chain ride on the track. This track is shown in plan in Fig.2. It will be obvious that when the "inking mechanism and printing mechanism are not latched, to each other the inking. 45 mechanism may be moved away from the printing mechanism'on the roller chain along the base I to any desired extent to provide access between the two "mechanisms.

The printing press illustrated is for multi-color a printing and comprises a plurality of printingrollers in banks or tiers. The inking mechanism having corresponding cooperatingibanks or tiers of inking rollers, fountain'rollers, etc., as is well known in this art.

The printing mechanism and inking mechanism are driven from gear l0 receiving its power from any suitable source. This gear l0 meshes with gears II and H to drive printing rollers l3 and I4, respectively. The rollers above the roller it (not shown in the drawing) are driven by 5 suitable gearing from the gear H as will be obvious.

Mounted on the shaft of the gear H but outside of the frame of the printing mechanism is a gear adapted to mesh with a pinion 2| mounted 10 inking mechanism. The pinions 2| and are not in mesh with their respective gears 2|! and 2 3 at the same time, as will be hereinafter pointed out. 7

In addition to moving the inking mechanism 20 away from the printing mechanism to provide access between the two mechanisms thereby disconnecting the drive entirely as above described, it is also desired to move the inking mechanism away to a lesser extent when no printing is tak- 2 ing place, but toretain the driving connection between the two. In this case, the inking rollers are moved out of contact with the printing rollers l3 and H, but the inking of the inking rollers will continue. In other words, the vibrating rollers will continue to rub and spread ink on the ink-' ing rollers to secure the proper density of the color which is very desirable in color printing.

When the inking mechanism has been moved away from the printing mechanism, thereby disengaging the pinion 25 from the gear 24, and it is desired to retain the driving connection between the two mechansims theinking mechanism or the lower bank of rollers thereof is connected to the drive gear Iii-through gear 20 and pinion 40 2|, the pinion 2| at this time 'having been moved transversely on the shaft 22 to bring the same in line with the gear 20. The pinion 2| is provided" with a collar 2| which is engaged by a'fork 22',

as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the said transverse movement oithe pinion 2| along the shaft 22 Y may be effected by manual operation.

In this regard-I have provided a novel latching mechanism which will permit of such movement without disconnecting the drive. This mecha-F 9 nism comprises a'bar or plate 30 adjustablyp mounted on the frame 2 of the machine. This plate 30 is slotted at 3| to receive bolts 32 to pro- .vide for the adjustment thereof on the frame 2 of the machine. The forward end of the plate 30 5 nism. is moved into juxtapositionwith the printing mechanism. a

The bar 35 is adapted to be rotated by means of a handle to rotate the flat portion 34 to vertical position in the bore 33 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 to lock the same in place and to a horizontal position in the bore 33 as shown in Fig. 3

whereby the plate 30 may be engaged or disengaged thereby, as the case may be.

The rod 35 has its bearing in an eccentric sleeve 40 mounted for rotation in the frame of the printing frame. .This eccentric sleeve is provided with an operating handle 4| whereby the same may be rotated.

It ,will be obvious from the description thus far 'thatthe inking mechanism can be moved away from the printing mechanism thereby entirely disconnecting the drive to provide access between the two mechanisms. It will also be obvious that the same may be moved to a lesser degree to disconnect theinking rollersffrom the printing rollers. When the mechianisms are separated to this lesser degree the parts are in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When it is desired to bring the two-mechanisms into operating position, that is, with the inking rollers 45 in contact with the printing rollers l3 and I4, assuming that the flat 34 is in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3, theinking mechanism frame 2 is rolled out or moved away from the printing mechanism frame 3 to disconnect or free the plate 30 from the rod 35., The pinion 2| is then moved manuallytransversel'y on its shaft to disconnect the same from the path of the gear 20, the'operator will then move the handle or lever 4| to rotate the eccentric sleeve 40 .to the position shown in Fig 4. The inking mechanism frame. 2 is then moved into engagement with the printing mechanism, bringing the pinion 25 into mesh with the gear 24 thereby to provide a drive for'the inking mechanism instead of through the pinion 2| and gear 20. It

will be appreciated that with the parts in this I described the press is ready for the printing operation the paper 50 being fed between the rollers 5|, 52 and l3, l4.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the structure herein illustrated and described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

1. In a' printing press the ,combination of printing mechanism and inking mechanism movable into and out of .contact with each other, a latch' comprising a plate carried .by one of said mechanisms and having a slotted end communicating with a circular bore therein, a transverse rotatable rod carried by the other of said mechanisms and having a flattened portion adapted to enter said circular bore through said slot, and

an eccentric bearing for said rod, said bearing being rotatable to latch said mechanisms in operating contact with each other.

2.1n-a printing. press the combination oi printing mechanism and hiking mechanism, a

support therefor, a trackon. said support one of said mechanisms being movablealong said track into and out of contact with the o her.

the other component of said latching mechanism carried by said support, said rod having a flattened portion adapted to enter said circular bore through said slot, an eccentric bearing for said rod, said bearing being rotatable to latch said mechanism in printing position when the said eccentric bearing is in one'position and to latch the said mechanisms in non-printing position when in another position. v

3. In a printing ,press the combination of printing mechanism and inking mechanism, a support therefor, a track on said support, one of said. mechanisms being movable along said track into and out of contact with the other, latching mechanism, one component of which is carried by said movable mechanism and comprising an adjustably mounted plate having a slotted end communicatingwith a circular bore therein, a transverse rotatable rod comprising the other component of said latching mechanism carried by said support, said rod having a flattened portion adapted to enter said circular bore through said slot, an eccentric bearing for said rod, said bearing being rotatable to latch said mechanism in printing position when the said eccentric bearing is in one position and to latch the saidjmechanisms in non-printing position when in another position, a common drive including a drive gear for said inking and printing mechanisms, a pinion driven by said drive gear for driving the inking mechanism when the two mechanisms are in printing position and another pinion driven by said drive gear for drivingsaid mechanisms when the same are in non-printing position, the latter pinion operating only when the said mechanisms; are latched in non-printing position by said mechanism and the first-mentioned pinion operating only when the said mechanisms are latched in printing position by said latching mechanism.

4; In a printing press the combination of inkingmechanism, printing mechanism, means-for efiecting relative bodily movement between the inking mechanism and the printing mechanism,

to bring the one out of operative relation with respect to the other, driving mechanism for driving the said printing mechanism and inking mechanism in their normal operativeposition, and a driving connection adapted. to be shifted into operative position when theinking mechanism and printing mechanism have been moved out of operative relation with respect to each other whereby the inking mechanism and printing mechanism will continue to be driven.

5. In a printing press the combination of inking mechanism, printing mechanism, means for effecting relative bodily movement between the said two mechanisms to bring the one out of operative relation with respect to the other, a gear train for driving the inking and printing mechanisms, and

a gear adapted to be moved into the driving train when theinking mechanism and printing mechanism are out of cooperative relation whereby the inking mechanism and printing mechanism will continue to run.

6. In a printing press the combination of inking mechanism, printing mechanism, means for effecting relative bodily movement between the said two mechanisms torbring the one out of operative relation with respect to the other, latching mechanism for latching the mechanisms in adjusted position, a gear train for driving the inking and printing mechanisms, and a gear adapted to be moved into the driving train when the inking mechanism and printing mechanism are out of cooperative relation whereby the driving of the inking mechanism and printing mechanism will be continued. 4

'7. In a printing press the combination of inking mechanism and printing mechanism, means for efiecting relative bodily movement between the said two mechanisms to bring the one out of operative relation with respect to the other, latchingmechanism comprising a rotatable eccentric member for latching the inking mechanism in contact with the printing mechanism and out of contact with the printing mechanism, a gear train for driving the inking and printing mechanism, and a gear adapted to be moved into and out of the driving train whereby the inking mechanism and printing mechanism are driven at all times.

8. In a printing press the combination of inking mechanism comprising fountain rollers and' inking rollers, printing mechanism comprising printing rollers, said inking mechanism being movable relative to the printing mechanism to move said inking rollers into and out of contact with said printing rollers, a latch carried by one'oi said mechanisms and a cooperating member carried by the other to latch the inking mechanism with the inking rollers in contact with the printing rollers, an eccentric mount for said cooperating member, the rotation of said member moving the inking rollers into and out oi. contact with said printing rollers, a gear train for driving the inking and printing mech nism, and a gear adapted to be moved into and outkoi said gear train whereby the inking mechanism and printing mechanism are driven at all times.

9. In a printing press the combination of inking mechanism comprising fountain rollers and inking rollers, printing mechanism comprising printing rollers, a trackfor said inking mechanism, said inking mechanism being movable along said track to bring said inking rollers into and out or contact with said printing rollers, a gear train for driving said inking mechanism and printing mechanism, a gear adapted to be moved into and out of said train so that the inking mechanism and printing mechanism are driven at all times, and manually operable means for latching said inking mechanism into and out of contact wit the printing mechanism. I EDWIN E. BURROUGHS. 

